CAMPAIGN GROUPS AND PAIRS x1000
Three: Commander P. H. Riddler, R.N., H.M. Armoured Train Churchill, second-in-command of the Heavy Armoured Trains in Belgium 1914-15
1914 STAR, with clasp (Lieut. Commdr. P. H. Riddler. R.N. Armd. Trains.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (Commr. P. H. Riddler. R.N.) mounted as worn, good very fine and rare (3)
£400-600 Only 77 1914 Stars issued to R.N. Armoured Trains.
Three Heavy Armoured Trains were built in Antwerp in September and October 1914, mounted with British naval guns, and placed under the overall command of Commander A. S. Littlejohns, R.N., with Lieutenant-Commander P. H. Riddler, R.N., as his second-in- command. Known from 9th November as H.M. Armoured Trains Jellicoe (Cdr. Littlejohns) with three 4.7-inch guns, H.M.A.T. Deguise (Belgian Captain Servais) with three 4.7-inch guns, and H.M.A.T. Churchill (Lt.-Cdr. Riddler) with two 6-inch guns, these three armoured trains fought around Antwerp until 7th October, then retreated via Ghent, in support of General Rawlinson's advance to Ypres. H.M.A.T. Churchill became operational at Oostende after the retreat from Antwerp and in December went into action in the area around Oostkerke against German batteries to the south of Dixmude. On 18 December Lt.-Cdr. Riddler was wounded by a shell. From the end of December 1914 to March 1915, the three trains were continuously in action, sometimes in support of an assault (Jellicoe at la Bassée on 10 January), but in particular in counter-battery or bombardment missions in action to neutralise trench lines (Jellicoe at Beuvry 20-24 January, Churchill at Oosterkerke on 28-29 January, and against an observation post at Ennetieres on 11 February, Déguise at Beuvry firing on a rail junction on the 15th, among other targets, and Churchill against a battery at Fleur d’Ecosse on 3 March). The guns of the trains were extremely effective, notably against troop concentrations. On 18 February, H.M.A.T. Déguise fired seven shells at German troops to the South-West of la Bassée. These actions brought the trains within range of the German artillery. The Germans scored hits, but the armour protection and swift manoeuvring of the trains normally protected the crews, except on 25 January when Jellicoe was hit, wounding two men and killing the Belgian engine driver. Between 10 and 13 March, the three trains supported the action at Neuve Chapell. On that occasion, Field Marshal Sir John French paid a surprise visit to H.M.A.T. Churchill, which was the command train for Commander Littlejohns. Towards the end of March 1915, the three trains were withdrawn from service.
1001
Three: Private F. Metcalf, Grenadier Guards
1914 STAR, with copy clasp (11634 Pte F. Metcalf. 2/G. Gds:); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (11634 Pte. F. Metcalf. G. Gds.) very fine (3)
£80-120
Frederick Metcalf was born at Wheelock, Cheshire, in 1881, and attested for the Grenadier Guards at Crewe on 22 August 1904, transferring to the Army Reserve on 22 August 1907. He was re-called to the Colours in August 1914 and served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards from 20 September 1914. He was discharged to Class ‘Z’ Army Reserve on demobilisation on 26 February 1919, and died in Darlington in 1941.
1002
Three: Drummer C. G. Browning, Coldstream Guards
1914 STAR, with clasp (4908 Dmr C. G. Browning. C. Gds.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (4908 Pte. C. G. Browning. C. Gds.) very fine (3)
£140-180
Charles George Browning attested for the Coldstream Guards on 22 November 1902 and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War in the French theatre of war from 12 August 1914. He was wounded by gun-shot wound in the right eyeball and left sub- maxillary region and was discharged on 11 June 1915.
1003
Three: Sergeant M. Poultney, D.C.M., Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1914 STAR, with clasp (1339. Pte. M. Poultney. R. War. R.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (1339 Sjt. M. Poultney. R. War. R.) good very fine
£200-240
D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry whilst the Regiment occupied the original enemy first support trench. Sergeant Poultney volunteered and twice went out with patrols and brought back valuable information. His courageous action was a fine example to the men and had the effect of checking the enemy advance.’
Michael Poultney was born in 1891 and attested for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 11 January 1909 and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 4 October 1914, and was awarded the D.C.M. in March 1916. He was discharged on 30 September 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge.
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